Economics and Terrorism

Once again, the news which really affects most Americans; trade, jobs, climate change and local news is being crowded out by the ephemeral, non-stop 24 hour obsession with terrorism and what the President is doing or not doing to keep us safe.  Not the 80-100 people who die from gun violence every day.  There is nothing we can do for them, since it would interfere with our 2nd amendment rights.  No, we should turn our country into an authoritarian nightmare to stop terrorists who may kill us where we work, play or live.  Republicans are falling all over themselves to criticize the President for not proposing some fascist daydream to deter someone like the San Bernadino shooters, but if he had suggested we take away Joe six pack's assault rifle as part of a sensible plan to reduce the supply of death sticks, there would be howls of protest.  Meanwhile, the Fed is raising interest rates although the economy remains sluggish and much of the rest of the world is doing even worse.  This action will probably have far more impact on the country than radicalized Muslims, but you would never know it from the media coverage.   In more mundane news, the garden continues to produce with kale, nappa cabbage and carrots harvested over the weekend and golf continues to be played, albeit not very well.  The Divine Mrs. M's Champlain Valley Voices concert was a great success and we are looking forward to more holiday music from her other singing ensemble in the near future.